Backpacking Philippines: October 2004

Bulacan Resorts Swimming Pools/Waterparks, Wave Pools, Private Resorts
30 October 2004

For "in heat" people of Metro Manila looking for Bulacan resorts whether public or private swimming pools to cool down.

(I wonder which one of them have heated pools and wave pools, spa, hydromassage and jacuzzi.)

List of Bulacan Resorts and Private pools

8 Waves Waterpark
DRT Hi-way, Ulingao, San Rafael
+63.44.766-6855 to 56; +63.44.766.6874
(02) 299-8270

BarCIE International Center
Capitol View Park, Catmon, Malolos
+63.44.791-7416 to 17; +63.44.791-1142

Casa Elum Pavilion & Resort
Maligaya St., Barrio Patubig, Marilao
Tel. No.: +63.44.248-7809, 711-3926, 248-7769

Center for Local Governance
HBCC Compound, Malolos
Tel. No.: +63.44.791-1897

Ciudad Clemente Resort and Hotel
San Isidro, Paombong
Tel. No.: +63.44.791-1256, 0906-4972291

DJ Paradise Resort & Hotel
McArthur Highway, Dakila, Malolos
+63.44.791-5129
(02) 844-0194, 824-0241

Galilee Garden Resort
Gen. Alejo Santos Hi-way, San Pedro, Bustos
+63.44.617-1587 to 88, 927-6205

Grotto Vista Resort
Grace Ville, San Jose Del Monte City
E-mail: grotto_vista_resort@yahoo.com
+63.44.691-0223, 691-1224
(02) 744-6642 to 43

Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center
Capitol Compound, Malolos
+63.44.791-0535

Jed's Island Resort
MacArthur Highway
Pulilan, Bulacan

Jogima Farm & Resort
San Francisco, Bulacan, Bulacan
+63.44.668-2114
(02) 299-8406

La Terrazo Celebraton & Relaxation
Calumpang, Calumpit
+63.44.675-0241, 675-0636

Latian Kay Parang Resort & Pavilion
Prinza St., Phase IV Town and Country North, Abangan, Marilao
+63.44.711-4212 to 13

Lawiswis Kawayan
Calumpit, Bulacan
http://www.lawiswiskawayan.com

Long Meadows Country Resort
10 Mahogany, Mahabang Parang, Sta. Maria
+63.44.641-0118, 641-4010

Luntiang Paraiso Resort & Hotel
Tabang, Guiguinto
E-mail: luntiangparaisoresort@yahoo.com
+63.44.794-1258; +63.44.794.0475, 690.1882

Malolos Club Royale Resort and Hotel
McArthur Highway, Mabolo, Malolos
+63.44.791-0378, +63.44.791.7797, +63.44.791.5848 to 49, +63.44.662-0044

Pulilan Riverview Resort
Longos, Pulilan
+63.44.676-1711

Sitio Lucia Resort Hotel and Training Center
Km. 40 Fidel de Jesus Street
Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria
E-mail: info@SitioLuciaHotelResort.com
+63.44.641-1046
(02) 299-6333, 338-2002

Villa Concepcion Wet and Wild Waves
Masuso, Pandi
E-mail: vcwwwi@yahoo.com
+63.44.661-8888

Villa Krizelna Resort
Coral na Bato, San Rafael
E-mail: tess_ampo@yahoo.com
(0915) 782-9007
(0921) 263-3142

How to get to Bulacan

Bus Commute to Bulacan:

Baliuag Transit Authority (majority of Bulacan routes), Terminals: Cubao, Divisioria, Grace Park, and Ayala Park Square II. German Espiritu Liner (Bocaue-Balagtas). Royal Eagle Transit (Malolos-Calumpit-Hagonoy), Terminal: EDSA, Pasay City. ES Transit and Five Star Buses (Bulacan-to-Cagayan), Terminals: EDSA Cubao.

FX shuttles to Bulacan can be found at the transport terminals of SM City North EDSA, Trinoman and & Farmer’s Plaza, Cubao, Quezon City.

Driving directions to Bulacan:

From EDSA via NLEX Balintawak Tollgate or Bonifacio Drive; Monumento via McArthur Highway towards Meycauayan.

please call published contact numbers, official websites for promos, room rates, prices, entrance fees, overnight accommodations, events, parties, weddings and other inquiries

Labels: Bulacan Resorts

posted by GingGoy @ 9:50 PM, No comment,

Siquijor Beach Resorts
27 October 2004

Visited by Tutubi for a mere three hours when he hopped on a ferry in Dumguete bound to the mystic island of Siquijor. Due to very limited time, he and his companion checked immediately the return trips of ferries to Dumaguete to catch the event in the afternoon.

Herewith is a list of beach resorts in Siquijor for your information:

Blue Wave Beach Resort

Casa de la Playa Beach Resort
Sandugan, Siquijor
Tel. No.: +63.35.484.1170
http://www.siquijorcasa.com

Charisma Beach Resort
Solangon, San Juan
Tel. +63.35.4815033
http://www.charisma-resort.com

Coco Grove Beach Resort
Tubod, San Juan
Tel. +63.35.481.5008
Fax: +63.35.481.5006

Coral Cay Resort & Dive Shop
Solangon, San Juan, Siquijor
Tel. +63.35.481.5024

Dondeezco Beach Resort
Dumanhog, Siquijor
Remarks: Visited by Tutubi where he ordered just mango juice :P

Kevins Beach House & Restaurant
Candanay Sur, Siquijor

Kiwi Dive Resort,
Sandugan, Siquijor
Tel. No.: +63.35.424.0534; +63-917.361.5997

Islanders Paradise Beach Resort,
Sandugan, Siquijor
Contact No.: +63.35.484.1174; +63-919.446.9982

Princessa Bulakna Resort
Candaping, Maria, Siquijor

Royal Cliff Resort,
San Juan, Siquijor
Tel. +63.35.4815038

Salagdoong Beach Resort
Olang, Maria, Siquijor

Tikarol Beach Resort
Candanay Sur, Siquijor

The Norwegian Dream Beach Resort
Candanay Tel. +63.35.4809095, Fax: 4809094
http://www.thenorwegiandream.com

Villa Marmarine Beach Resort
Candanay Sur, Siquijor

How to get to Siquijor:

to get to Siquijor Island, you need to book a flight to Dumaguete which is the nearest airport then take a ferry to Siquijor

No information on the cheapest Siquijor Beach Resort. In order to get the cheapest Bohol package, try looking for large family rooms for the whole family to share beyond three persons. Please contact the resorts or visit their official websites for rates, discounts, booking reservations and other information. Reviews of Siquijor Beach Resorts will be posted once available.

UPDATED: February 10, 2009

Related Post:
Cebu to Siquijor Ferry

Labels: Hotels and Resorts, Siquijor

posted by GingGoy @ 9:28 PM, 3 comments,

Basilan Tourist Spots, Places to See Beyond Beaches and Waterfalls
24 September 2004

Just an initial list of possible places to see in Basilan to include in your Basilan itinerary:

Note: Tutubi has never been to Basilan but intends to go there someday when there's already peace and order with no danger lurking in the shadows. Pictures of Basilan to follow when available

Basilan Beaches (beautiful and unspoiled):

White Beach of Malamawi Island in Isabela: best beach in Basilan
Hami Beach of Baluno in Isabela
Sumagdang Beach
Palm Beach

Basilan historical landmarks and sites:
Datu Kalun Shrine
Museo ng Lamitan in Lamitan
Basilan Provincial Capitol
Isabela City Plaza
Taguime Shrine
Santa Isabel Cathedral
Calvario Peak: where the Chapel of Peace stands
Kaum Purnah Mosque

Basilan Waterfalls:

Bullingan Falls
Kumalrang Falls

Basilan Natural Attractions:
Rubber Block Plantations
Panigayan fishing village
Kumalarang River

Basilan festivals:

Lami-Lamihan Festival (Lamitan, June): showcases Yakan Cultural Heritage, historical customs, traditions, the unique colorful Yakan cloth and cultural presentations

Where to Eat in Basilan (restaurants and eateries):
Jollibee Isabela
Anchong Tan in Isabela: fresh seafood

Anchong Tan: provides a panoramic view Isabela city

How to Get to Basilan:

The gateway to Basilan is Zamboanga City Airport where you need to book a flight to. From the airport, ride a jeep to Canelar then walk towards the Zamboanga port where
If you’re from Manila or Cebu, take a flight to Zamboanga City then take a jeepney bound for Canelar and walk towards the port where you need to ride a boat (fastcraft) to Basilan either to Lamitan or Lamitan (ferry travel time 1 hour or 1 hour and 45 minutes). Fare is around PhP140.00 (ordinary) PhP170.00 (aircon)

Labels: ARMM, Basilan

posted by GingGoy @ 9:30 PM, No comment,

Seair Flights, Excess Baggage Charges, Hotline, Accident Record et al
30 May 2004

Tutubi only flew with Seair twice on a round-trip ticket to Busuanga, the gateway to Coron, Northern Palawan and has these observations about the pros and cons of Seair:

Seair flights are not for the faint-of-heart for you can feel the small plane's banking in your stomach.
With the use of small aircraft, they're the only ones flying direct to Caticlan and Batanes airports but also the first ones to cancel flights during strong winds and typhoons
Seair's free baggage allowance is limited and sometimes too much excess baggage charges and baggage allowance limitations
At a flight altitude of about 10,000 feet, you can see much more magnificent views below than in a jumbo jet cruising at 33000 feet or higher.

Negative comments and feedback on Seair Flights:
Owen Ferrer
Seair accident reported here

Seair's aricraft fleet includes Dornier 328 from Germany turbo-prop 32 seater, LET 410, 19-seater and LET410 UVP-E by LET A.S.

Destinations and routes served by Sea Air

Manila to Baler, Aurora
Manila to Batanes:
Manila to Boracay:
Manila to Busuanga:
Manila to Cuyo, Palawan
Manila to Daet, Camarines Norte
Manila to El Nido, Palawan
Manila to Tablas, Romblon
Manila to Taytay
Boracay to Cuyo
Clark to Boracay
Boracay to Busuanga:
Clark to Cebu
Busuanga to El Nido, Palawan
Busuanga to Puerto Princesa
El Nido to Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa to Cuyo
Puerto Princesa to Boracay
Cebu to Boracay
Cebu to Camiguin
Cebu to Cotabato
Cebu to Siargao
Zamboanga to Cotabato
Zamboanga to Jolo
Zamboanga to Tawi-tawi

Seaair Hotline Number (Customer Service/Call Center): +632.849.0100
Manila: +63.2.849.0100
Angeles City: +63.45.323.6713
Boracay: +63.36.288.7272
Cebu: +63.32.255.0801

Official Website: www.flyseair.com
email: tickets@flyseair.com

Seaair Flight Schedules available here

Other Seair Flight Information particularly Seair Excess Baggage Charges taken from Seair's official website

Section 4 - Free Baggage Allowance

1. Customers traveling on SEAIR are allowed one (1) piece of checked baggage plus one (1) carry-on bag free of charge provided they meet size and weight limitations. The maximum weight per checked bag is 10 kilos and the maximum size is 59 inches (length + width + height). Certain items, such as skis and golf bag, will be accepted as one item under the free baggage allowance.
2. Military Personnel may check one (1) Duffle Bag or Sea Bag in place of a 59 inch bag.

http://flyseair.com/terms/article03.php

Seair Excess Baggage Charges and Limitations (Source: Seair Official Website)

Section 5 - Excess Baggage
Checked baggage in excess of the free baggage allowance will be charged at the rate of $50 per bag.

Section 6 - Overweight Baggage
Checked baggage weighing from 21 to 40 pounds will accepted as checked baggage subject to an excess weight charge of Php 500.00 per piece and baggage that weighs 41 to 50 kilos will be accepted subject to an excess weight charge of $1,000.00 per piece. Baggage in excess of 50 kilos will not be accepted.

Section 7 - Oversize Baggage
Checked baggage with overall dimensions from 60 inches to 80 inches will be assessed a per piece charge of Php 500.00. Baggage in excess of 80 inches will not be accepted.
Section 8 - Special items such as bicycles, surfboards, and scuba equipment are not included in a passenger's free checked baggage allowance and are subject to a Php500.00 charge.

Section 9 - Wheelchairs and assistive devices will be carried free of charge for qualified disabled passengers, and are not included in the free checked baggage allowance described above.

Section 10 - Carry-On Baggage

1. The suitability of carry-on baggage will be determined by SEAIR. Each passenger may carry on, without charge, one (1) bag totaling no more than 30 inches in overall dimensions. The bag must be stowed under the seat in front of the passenger or in an approved overhead bin. Garment bags are considered one of the allotted pieces.

If you have positive or negative reviews of Sea air, please leave a comment/feedback.

UPDATED: August 28, 2009

Labels: Airlines, Seair

posted by GingGoy @ 9:11 PM, No comment,

El Nido Beach Resorts (Palawan Accommodations)
19 May 2004

For people looking for a nice vacation in El Nido, Palawan, here's a list of recommended beach resorts in El Nido, palawan for you to consider and explore

List of Beach Resorts in El Nido, Palawan:

Dolarog Beach Resort
http://www.dolarog.com

El Nido Garden Resort
http://www.elnidogardenresort.com

El Nido Resorts
El Nido Resort Lagen Island
El Nido Resort Miniloc Island
http://www.elnidoresorts.com

Lally and Abet Beach resort
http://www.lallyandabet.com

Las Cabanas Resort
http://www.lascabanasresort.com

Marina Garden Beach Resort
http://marinagardenelnido.multiply.com

For El Nido Resorts room rates, promos, booking and reservations, please visit the el nido resort official website or call published contact numbers (telephone numbers listed on website or directories). Should you know of other El Nido Resorts not listed here, do leave a comment.

you may be looking for:
el nido island-hopping rates
el nido resort reviews
cheap palawan beach resort el nido
cheap flights to el nido, palawan
el nido resort photos beach front
el nido spa, massage

If you're looking for el nido sex on the beach, hookers and prostitutes, this is not the place to look for them :(

Labels: Hotels and Resorts, Mimaropa, Palawan, Resorts, Southern Tagalog

posted by GingGoy @ 9:45 PM, 1 comment,

Toys "R" Us Philippines Locations

Toys "R" Us in the Philippines are mostly located at Robinsons malls:

Robinsons Galleria
Robinsons Place Lipa (Lipa City, Batangas)
Robinsons Place Metro East
Robinsons Place Bacolod
TriNoMa Mall Quezon City

Soon to Open:

Robinsons Ermita
Robinsons Starmills
Alabang Town Center

Labels: Floobydust

posted by GingGoy @ 3:56 PM, No comment,

Quezon Beach Resorts
16 May 2004

The first beach that Tutubi visited was the beach of Sariaya, Quezon where he has fond memories of. Since he's just a child and never been to the beach except the "beach", called wawa, of Laguna de Bay.

Herewith is a list of Beach Resorts in Quezon Province for your information gathered from official websites and various forums on the Internet. This list is by no means complete that's why there are spaces but the towns are listed for future "expansion."

Beach Resorts Gen. Nakar, Quezon

Beach Resorts in Infanta, Quezon

(the best route to take going to Infanta is though Rizal via Manila East Road up Laguna towns of Mabitac and Famy where the road to Infanta and Real can be found. It's about 30 minutes drive from famy/Mabitac junction. To commute to Infanta, there's Raymond Transportation bus on EDSA, Cubao and anoterh terminal on Sta. Teresita St. near Nagtahan in Sampaloc, Manila)

Cote D' Azur
Pacific Beach Resort, Infanta Quezon

Beach Resorts in Real, Quezon
(the best route to take going to Infanta is though Rizal via Manila East Road up to Laguna towns of Mabitac and Famy where the road to Infanta and Real can be found. It's less than 30 minutes drive from Famy/Mabitac junction. To commute to Real, there's Raymond Transportation bus on EDSA, Cubao and anoterh terminal on Sta. Teresita St. near Nagtahan in Sampaloc, Manila)

Aranda Beach Resort
Baluti Island, Real, Quezon

Club Manila East, Real Quezon
http://www.clubmanilaeast.com/club-manila-east-real-quezon.htm

Ocean Blue Resort
Tignoan, Real, Quezon
Contact Number: +63.921.363.4337; +63.2.725.1783

Juliana Beach Resort

Real Star Beach Resort
Email Address: manzanas_25@yahoo.com
Contact number: +63.42.331.1026; +63.928.791.3431; +63.909.753.1194
Address: Brgy. Capalong, Real, Quezon

Beach Resorts on Polilio Island

(Note: How to get to Polillo Island: get to the town of Real or Infanta plus a three hour boat ride to. Another is via Atimonan port. Public transportation is irregular in the very rural towns of Polilio though)

Balesin Island Resort
Lamon Bay, Pollilio, Quezon
http://www.balesin.com
How to get there: best via Atimonan port (a four hour drive from Manila) followed by a boat ride to the resort.

Beach Resorts in Mauban, Quezon

Beach Resorts on Cagbalete Island, Quezon

Beach Resorts in Atimonan, Quezon

Beach Resorts on Alabat Island
(Note: How to get to Alabat Island: get to the town of Atimonan plus a boat ride. Located on Alabat island are the municipalities of Alabat, Perez and Quezon)

Beach Resorts in Sariaya, Quezon

Baywatch Palm Beach Club Resort-Hotel
Beachwood Resort
Caroline Resort International
Dalampasigan Beach Resort
Tel. No.:+63.49.502.4871; +63.927.382.4639; +63.921.656.2433

Marina Azul Beach Resort
Bignay II, Sariaya, Quezon
+63.2.687.6139; +63.2.687.6136
Official Website: http://marinaazulbeachresort.com
Email: marinaazulbeachresort@yahoo.com

Montevista Beach Resort
Bignay II, Sariaya

Paraiso Beach Resort
Guis-Guis, Sariaya, Quezon
Contact Number: +63.2.851.6643; +63.2.889.2845; +63.920.901.1949

Villa del Prado
Bignay I, Sariaya

Beach Resorts in Lucena City, Quezon

Beach Resorts in Pagbilao, Quezon
(check out Pagbilao Grande Island, particularly the fine white sand beaches of Puting Buhangin Beach and Burawan Beach)

Pueblo Por La Playa
an upscale members-only resort
Official Website: http://www.puebloporlaplaya.com/

Beach Resorts in Padred Burgos, Quezon

The Tamarind Tree Beach Resort
Padre Burgos Quezon
website http://www.thetamarindtree.com
Tel No. +63.2.772.4731; +63.921.310.1793

Beach Resorts in Plaridel, Quezon

Beach Resorts in Unisan, Quezon

Beach Resorts in Gumaca, Quezon

Beach Resorts in Pitogo, Quezon

Beach Resorts in Lopez, Quezon

Beach Resorts in Calauag, Quezon

Beach Resorts in Gen. Luna, Quezon

Beach Resorts in Catanauan, Quezon

Beach Resorts in Guinayangan, Quezon

Beach Resorts in Buenavista, Quezon

Beach Resorts in Mulanay, Quezon

Beach Resorts in San Narciso, Quezon

Beach Resorts in San Andres, Quezon
Alibijaban Island

Beach Resorts in San Francisco Quezon

For inquires and reservations at this family resort please contact the published telephone numebrs or visit official websites. No information on the cheapest rates available.

Should you know of any beach resorts in Quezon Province or any update/corrections, do leave a comment for Tutubi to add to this list of Quezon Beach Resorts.

LAST UPDATE: April 11, 2009

Labels: Calabarzon, Hotels and Resorts, Quezon, Resorts, Southern Tagalog

posted by GingGoy @ 10:51 PM, 5 comments,

Kiping and Pahiyas Fiesta of Lucban, Quezon
15 May 2004

Lucban, a quiant agricultural town in Quezon Province, east of Manila, is famous for the Pahiyas Festival, in honor of San Isidro Labrador, where colorful kiping (rice flour concoction molded from leaves and colored with multiple hues for such perfect photography subjects) decorated houses are featured every year on May 15.

these pictures, taken with Canon Ixus 30 highlights the festival as not only a harvest festival of the townspeople but also showcases art and culture.

How Kiping is made:

Kiping making starts by selecting leaves of trees (kabal, coffee or talisay) to serve as molds. Rice is then soaked for two hours before grounding into a paste and mixed with desired food colors and sprinkled with rock salt. The resulting rice paste (galapong) is spread on leaf molds, steamed for about 30 minutes, dried and peeled off.

Other places to see in Lucban:

Kamay ni Hesus
Kainan sa Palaisdaan (Tayabas)
Buddy's Restaurant
San Isidro Labrador Church (Lucban Church)
Church of Saint Louis of Toulouse
Pancit Habhab, popularly known outside as pancit lucban
Crystal spring waters of Ulbok
Marcos Tigla Park
Caprichosa Park
Rizal Park (formerly Plaza dela Revolution
scenic Mt. Banahaw

Lucban Pasalubong: Abcede's Langgonisa (lucban longganisa), broas,

Try also to visit neighboring town of Sariaya, Quezon for the Agawan Festival on the same date (May 15 annually)

Where to Stay in Lucban (Hotels, Inns, accommodations, usually fully-booked during Pahiyas Fiesta on May 15):
Patio Rizal (Tel. No: +63.42.540.2107)
Batis Aramin Hotel Resort
Palaisdaan Hotel (Tayabas)
Gran Veranda

How to get to Lucban:

How to Commute to Lucban, Quezon: take buses going to Lucena City and connecting jeepneys to take you to Lucban.

In Laguna, Sta. Cruz town or Pagsanjan town plaza, there are large jeeps going to Lucban.

Driving directions to Lucban: from Quezon City it's easier and faster to go there via Rizal route going to Laguna town of Pagsanjan. In Pagsanjan, Lucban is about an hour away. You thus avoid the traffic of SLEX and long drive via Lucena.

Labels: Calabarzon, Festivals, Fiestas, Quezon, Southern Tagalog

posted by GingGoy @ 8:52 PM, 1 comment,

How to Get to Anilao Beach Resorts, Mabini, Batangas: Map, Bus Commute, Directions
11 May 2004

Anilao is a world-famous diving destination in Mabini town of Batangas. (Yep, Anilao is not a town in Batangas, it was made synonymous to the dive sites due to it's being the only jump-off point to the dive sites then)

Anilao Dive Sites:

Arthur's Rock and Dead Point, Basura, Eagle Point, Mainit Point, Twin Rocks, Vistamar and Koala

Anilao Dive Resorts

Reviews, comments and pictures/photos to follow once available. Please contact respective resorts for room rates, equipment rentals and SCUBA Diving training and PADI certifications.

Monte Carlo Resort
(043) 410-0111 / (043) 410-0222 (043) 410-0333
www.montecarlo.giveu.net
1traveltour@globlines.com.ph

Blue Ocean
San Jose (043) 410-0454
www.blueanilao.com
dolphin3b@hanmail.net

Carfel Vistamar Inc.
San Jose
0917-504-4831 (Resort)
(02) 821-8332 / (02) 823-8265
www.vistamaronline.com
vistamar@pacific.net.ph

Han Buk Resort
Solo
0916-751-4715

S.M. Scuba Dive Resort Solo
0916-339-1109
www.smscuba.com
smscuba@hanmail.net

Anilao Outrigger Resort
Solo
0927-555-5862
(02) 895-3551 / (02) 890-7807
www.outrigger.com.ph
info@outrigger.com.ph

El Sombrero Beach Resort
Solo 0916-251-4355 (Adelia)

Animone Resort Solo
0917-470-2555

The Middle of Summer Scuba Diving
Resort (former Dive Ocean Corp.) Solo

Dive South Marina Resort Solo
0910-219-7166

The Mermaids Hideaway Solo
0917-971-0809

La Luz Del Mar Solo 0920-750-3900

Club Ocellaris Solo
0917-890-1073 (Boy)
(02) 722-1938
Fax: (02) 672-1415
boyv@clubocellaris.com

Aqua Tropical Sports Resort
Ligaya 0919-424-2861
0927-579-7237

Brine Valley Resort
Ligaya
0919-255-5480

Coral Bay former Villa Charade
Ligaya 0921-284-3384
(02) 934-1259

Mariko Beach Resort
Ligaya
0918-292-3007; 0921-256-0011

Phil Pan Diving Resort Ligaya
0919-351-4695

Dive J.E.C.E. Resort
Ligaya
0919-336-5132; 0919-327-1394

Full House ( formerly Orange Diving Resort)
Ligaya
0916-303-8588; 0916-490-8167

Pacifico Azul Beach Resort
Ligaya
0916-736-8666

Villa Ligaya Beach Resort
Ligaya
0910-439-1073 (Resort)
mnla booking: (02) 896-6016 / (02) 896-6391
alex@philtech.net / mic@philtech.net
www.philtech.net

Aquaventure Reef Club
Bagalangit
+63 918-929-1667
Telefax: (02) 895-7932
jursar@aquareefclub.com
www.aquareefclub.com

Arthur's Place Dive Center
Bagalangit
0919-716-7973
0919-312-3938
fax: (043) 723-4773
arthurs@batangas.net.ph

Dive 7000 Resort
Bagalangit
0919-562-4268 (Dr. Tim)
www.dive7000.com.ph
tim@dive7000.com.ph

Eagle Point Resort
Bagalangit
0917-811-7654 (Ton)
0917-457-9672 (Rod)
(043) 986-0177 / fax: 986-0187
(02) 813-3553 / fax: 813-3560
www.eaglepoint.com.ph
rsvn@eaglepoint.com.ph

Red Sun Resort
SSI College (JN Center)
Bagalangit
Telephone Number: 0920-675-9633 (Mr. Kim)

Sunbeam Marine Sport Ent
Bagalangit
0919-767-4816 (Ronnie)
(043) 986-0190
(02) 831-1328 / fax: 729-4900
www.anilaodivers.com
sunbeam@broline.com

Bezo Resort (formerly Dive Solana)
San Teodoro
0917-300-1086
aquaman@mozcom.com

El Pinoy Dive Inn
San Teodoro
0919-708-2584 (Claire)

Sunview Resort Club Narae Co. Inc.
San Teodoro
0920-854-2534 / 0919-369-9123

Aquagarden Resort Genato Lim San Teodoro 0920-960-6993 / 0917-795-7151
www.aquagarden.com.ph
info@aquagarden.com.ph

Balai Beach Resort Inc.
San Teodoro
0918-946-3483 (Boy)
0920-920-8083 (Larry)
0919-857-1005 (Resort)
Telefax: (02) 943-2808 (Balai)
Telefax: 997-1474 (Boy)
balai_resort@hotmail.com

Planet Dive Inc. San Teodoro
0918-917-2630 (Joey)
0920-610-1746 (Dennis)
0918-929-9342 (Acid)
(02) 410-6193
Telefax: 926-0723
jackhavoc@yahoo.com

For those Underwater Photographer who wish to have the assistance of Dive Guide / Spotter you may contact the
Mabini Tourism Center (043) (410-0607)

Picnic Resorts in Anilao

01. Lover's Island
Anilao East
0919-440-6911

02. Goldmines Picnic View
Anilao Proper
0919-810-4980 (Marcial)
0916-447-1615 (Lucena)

03. Jay-Em-Es
Majuben
(043) 410-0837
(043) 723-5532 (Jerlyn)
0920-859-3501 (Eliza)

04. Lazaro Beach Resort
Majuben
0927-435-6078

05. Aqua World Beach Resort
San Jose
0927-232-3437 (Rhea)
(043) 410-0351

06. Basilio De Castro Beach Resort
San Jose
(043) 410-0833

07. Camongol Beach Resort
San Jose
0916-523-8035

08. Nel-Cris Beach Resort
San Jose
(043) 410-0529
09. Sunshine Beach Resort
San Jose

10. Tonying Picnic Tables
San Jose

11. Binata Beach Resort
San Jose

12. Father's Pride Picnic Tables
San Jose

13. Angie's
San Jose

14. Sikap Mupai Beach Resort
Solo
0916-251-7131

please get in the touch with the resort official website or call published contact numbers for room rates, promos, sample menu prices and other activities (snorkelling, diving, dive equipment rentals, PADI courses)

How to get to Anilao, Batangas:

Driving directions to Anilao, Mabini, Batangas (for those with pravate cars): From Makati City, take SLeX (Southern Luzon Express Way) and take Batangas/Lucena exit. Drive past Turbina (Shell station on your right), Lyceum University and Calamba boundary and turn right to enter Star Tollway (CALABARZON). Drive the entire length of Star toll and exit towards Batangas City then right turn going to Batangas City after the toll gate.

Drive straight passing by Fernando Airbase until you reach a junction the leads to Cuenca. Head for Cuenca then Alitagtag then head towards Sta. Teresita. Turn left when you see the welcome arch of Sta Teresita going to San Luis (this is a shortcut road going to the national highway where you turn left to Bauan.

At the junction that leads to Mabini, follow the road until you see another fork. Choose Anilao. This winding road will end at Anilao Propoer with its a market place and jeepney terminal. Near Anilao Proper is a road to the left that will take you to barangay Solo, Bagalangit and San Teodoro where the resorts are located.

How to commute to Anilao, Batangas (Mabini):

Board any bus to Batangas City on Taft Ave near corner Buendia (LRT Buendia station) (Travel time is around 3 hours. Request the conductor to drop you off at the jeepney terminal of Bauan/Mabini. Transfer to a Mabini-bound jeepney up to the docking area. At the docking area, board a jeepney to go to your resort in Mabini's barangay San Jose, Solo, Ligaya or Bagalangit.

Cubao to Batangas City bus fare:
Batangas to Mabini jeepney fare:
Anilao Port to Anilao Beach Resort tricycle fare: varies depending on distance

Related Posts:

Calatagan Beach Resorts
Laiya, San Juan Beach Resorts

UPDATED: April 2013

Labels: Batangas, Hotels and Resorts, Resorts

posted by GingGoy @ 9:50 PM, 8 comments,

Batangas: How to Get to Calatagan Beach Resorts, Map, Bus Fare, Commute, Directions
10 May 2004

List of Calatagan resorts for your reference

Rosegold Resort
Website: http://www.rosegoldbeachresort.com

Golden Sunset (owned by Ricky Reyes)
Lago de Oro, a cable park with wakeboarding facility

Playa Calatagan

Ronco Beach Resort
Parola Road, Calatagan, Batangas.
Mobile: +63.917.537.2061
Telephone Number: +63.2.823.2633
Email: roncoresort@yahoo.com

Burot Beach
(now owned by SM) with entrance fee for day tours and overnight camping

How to get to Calatagan, Batangas:

Planning to go to Calatagan by commute (public transport), take a bus to Calatagan in Pasay City near MRT EDSA Taft station (Crow Bus) or Erjohn/ Kirby bus at Liwasang Bonifacio (Lawton) in Manila (bus will pass by Tagaytay, bus trips at 4am to 11pm and takes about 2 hours) or at the Ali Mall bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City and lastly in Alabang, Muntinlupa. In Calatagan, get a tricycle to take you the beach resorts in the Sta Ana area.

Driving Directions by private car, take the south super highway (SLEX) exit at Sta. Rosa then turn right to Silang- Tagaytay. At the ridge turn right towards the rotonda. At Tagaytay rotonda (roundabout), look for 7-11 then drive straight ahead to Tagaytay-Nasugbu highway. At Palico intersection you may choose left turn to Balayan-Calatagan or right to Nasugbu, then turn towards Calatagan.

Other interesting places to see in Calatagan, Batangas:
Calatagan Lighthouse or Faro de Punta de Santiago (Santiago Point) or Cape Santiago
Museum at Golden Sunset (where you can find artifacts, resort is owned by Ricky Reyes)

UPDATED April 2013
No reviews and recommendations on the best and cheapest yet. Pictures/photos to follow. You may call the resort contact number or visit their official website for updated room rates, promos, summer outing, sample menu prices and other inquiries

related posts:

Laiya, San Juan Beach Resorts
Anilao Beach Resorts

Labels: Batangas, Calabarzon, Hotels and Resorts, Resorts

posted by GingGoy @ 9:48 PM, 10 comments,

Puerto Galera Resorts and Budget Travel Tips
09 May 2004

After wakeboarding at Lago de Oro summer outing, a group of Tutubi's officemates decided on going to nearby Puerto Galera beaches. Since Tutubi loves spur-of-the-moment travels, the unplanned kind, he tagged along.

Boarding a bus to Batangas Pier and a banca (boat) to Puerto Galera to take them to White Beach. The boat ride is a short one less than an hour.

The group arrived there shortly before sunset but since the trip is unplanned, they needed to find a room to stay for the night. It's a peak season of summer so as expected, no rooms were available at the various resorts lined up on the popular beach front. They then looked for contacts and rooms in houses nearby and found one where the 8 of them can sleep for just P100 per person, not bad indeed since they're not finicky, just wanted a place to rest their weary bodies later.

A long stretch of white sand beach aptly known as White Beach

Snorkeling in an area known as Long Beach

Where to Eat in Puerto Galera:

many bars and restaurants dot the area so dining and drinking is not hard.

Where to Stay in Puerto Galera (Resorts and Hotels):

Many hotels and resorts offer rooms and accommodations on the beach fronts, if your trip is unplanned or can't book your own rooms, you can look around for people offering rooms in their houses for cheap accommodations called homestay.

Cheapest ones, during peak periods like Holy Week, are tents where you only need a campsite like HSL and access to toilets.

What to do in Puerto Galera:

Snorkeling, shopping for souvenirs, visit Tamaraw falls nearby, SCUBA Diving, Banana boat and other water sports and activities

ATM Banking:

No ATMs on White Beach so bring plenty of cash. On Sabang Beach, there's Rural Bank of Puerto Galera

How to get to Puerto Galera:

Commute to Puerto Galera: Board a bus of Alps (Kamias, EDSA) Batangas Express (Kamias, EDSA) or Tritran (Kamias, EDSA or Taft Ave near corner Buendia/Gil Puyat) bus bound for Batangas Pier. At Batangas Pier, board ferries or boats to Puerto Galera. Total travel time is around 4 hours.

Driving Directions by private car, there's also secure parking at Batangas Pier (call them for parking rates) or you may take the Ro-Ro (Roll On Roll Off) facilities going to Mindoro.

For Puerto Galera via RORO, drive to Batangas Pier Gate 2, pay for the fee P1400 then 160-200/passenger with 1 free going to Balatero. RORO Trip schedule is from 10am and 3pm. Roro to Calapan costs the same but open 24 hours.

For those tourist in Manila, you can also board Sikat Bus to Puerto Galera with daily trips at 8am in front of City State Hotel on Mabini St Ermita, Manila. This way you just board the bus to take you directly either to White beach or Sabang Beach. Fare is PhP500 with travel time of 3 hours.

Puerto Galera Beaches:

Puerto Galera Beaches:

White Beach (most popular), Tamaraw Beach (separated from White beach by a cliff), Sabang Beach (where the girlie bars, foreigners and sleazy joints with hookers converge), Talipanan Beach (near White Beach but secluded)

UPDATED: February 10, 2013
You may be looking for these:
Puerto Galera Holy Week Promo, Puerto Galera Sex Scandal, Hookers, Prostitutes, Spa Massage with extra service, bars, ktv...sorry, but they're not here. please look somewhere else

Labels: Beaches, Hotels and Resorts, Mimaropa, Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Galera, Southern Tagalog, Travel Guides

posted by GingGoy @ 4:48 PM, 10 comments,

Cable Wakeboarding in Batangas (and CamSur/CWC, DECA (DWP) ad Clark (CWP))
08 May 2004

It's company summer outing time and after Tutubi, fresh from his Mumbai, India travel, now has time to relax and unwind at the beach of Calatagan, Batangas in a resort called Lago de Oro (Spanish for Lake of Gold)

Photo of boats (banca) in Batangas Bay

Lago de Oro is a resort located on the beach of Calatagan with a not-so-great beach, nice facilities, a small swimming pool, playground but what's really great about this one is the presence of the water-ski facility for cable wakeboarding or kneeboarding called cable park.

Tutubi was able to try kneeboarding, and able to get past the first turn on his second try but not on the 2nd one. He was the only first timer there to get past it.

It seems Lago de Oro's wakeboarding is already known to many people that Tutubi even saw Alaska's coach Tim Cone and his entire family wakeboarding as if they're doing it for so long.

How to get to Lago de Oro, Calatagan Batangas

Directions are posted on their official website as well as prices, room rates and sample pictures and video.

Another nice to visit place in Calatagan is the old historic lighthouse, called Faro de Punta Santiago, on Cape Santiago. The outdoor museum at Golden Sunset also in the town is worth a visit for history buffs like Tutubi.

Other wakeboard/cable park in the Philippines is the popular CamSur or CWC, DECA Wakeboard Park (DWP in Davao), Clark Wakeboard Park (CWP) in Angeles City and Republic Wakepark in Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. For wakeboarding rates and other info please visit their official websites or call official contact numbers

Related Post:

Calatagan Beach Resorts

Updated: June 2009

Labels: Batangas, Calabarzon, Hotels and Resorts, Resorts, Southern Tagalog, Water Sports

posted by GingGoy @ 9:21 PM, 3 comments,

Boracay Sex Scandal: Hookers, Prostitutes, Prostitution, Sex on the Beach Video
01 May 2004

Have you been scouring the net on where to download the latest Boracay Sex Scandal? the Boracay Sex video of January 1 2011? Where to find Boracay hookers, Boracay prostitutes? They usually hang out on the beach, offered by shameless pimps or waiting for you in Boracay bars and KTV

We all know prostitution is illegal in the Philippines but it's always an open secret. If you've come to this page looking for information on how to get laid in Boracay, there're lots of tips and trick on this subject on the world wide web but, sorry, you're not going to get them here.

this is merely an experiment in SEO to lure people to land on this page for some experimental keywords:

Boracay Sex Scandal video download torrents
Boracay sex on the beach, Boracay hookers, boracay prostitutes, boracay prostitution, boracay nightlife, boracay bars, KTV, boracay bar fine, boracay escort service, boracay spa and massage with extra service, cheap boracay brothels hostesses
gay sex, orgy, lesbian confessions, boracay sexcapades, boracay sex tourism, boracay action places, contact numbers, telephone numbers, cellphone, mobile, chat, email address

note: if you came here looking for the ABS-CBN video of Boracay Sex on the beach on January 1, 2011, I don't have it. Free torrent video downloads may be buzzing with activity right now.

But if you're looking for the real tourist information on Boracay, you've come to the right place. Please start by clicking here.

Boracay Holy Week
Angeles City Nightlife

Labels: Floobydust

posted by GingGoy @ 8:59 PM, 5 comments,

Tour of Mumbai: Gateway of India, Taj Mahal Hotel, Elephanta Cave, Rajabai Clock Tower, Victoria Terminus
21 April 2004

My greatest difficulty in exploring India came from my meager allowance of $100 given

by my stingy lolo for my entire 3 week stay there (For comparison, my present employer gave me $100/day allowance in my foreign trips). Me and my companions ate breakfast at the hotel where I grew tired of almost the same set of food day after day, Indian and european/american that the waiters already memorized what I always order particularly omelet with cheese, tomatoes, onions, chili (yes, chili) and a little salt, lunch in the datacenter provided by my lolo and dinner at the Ming Yang Chinese restaurant at Taj Land’s End. Imagine me ordering our food without even bothering to get the menu since I already memorized it.

What I lacked in financial prowess I made up in creativity.

Since we’re assigned a service car to take us to work, I made arrangements for us to explore the city at night and even during Sundays for sightseeing tours.

Mumbai is so much like Manila having a fine natural harbor and circumferential road Marine Drive, popularly called Queen’s necklace, akin to Manila’s Roxas Boulevard.

Nearby Chowpatty beach offers a stroll on sandy shores and spicy bhelpuri, made up bhel base and finely cut tomatoes, onions and chili. Bhelpuri is not for the faint-hearted owing to its being sold on hawker stalls served on cardboard plates aside from giving you a spike of its piquant flavor.

On one end of Marine Drive stands the majestic Gateway of India, built to commemorate the visit of King George and Queen Mary and incidentally where the last soldiers of British Raj passed through when India won her independence.

Nearby is the magnificent Taj Mahal hotel offering a spectacular view of the Mumbai harbor with the Gateway of India in the foreground. I only noticed that the splendid hotel has its back against the sea.

A ferry station took us to Elephanta Island, a UNESCO world heritage site. Thought to be built in the 9th to 13th century, the caves of Elephanta were carved out of solid rock with massive columns. Marauding iconoclastic Portuguese destroyed much of the beautiful reliefs, sculptures and temple of the Hindu god Shiva with her usual androgynous depiction. This island is a popular getaway even for the locals who just stroll or take a picnic to provide a relief from the bustling megalopolis.

(picture below of the massive columns carved from solid rock inside one of the caves)

Back in Mumbai, you can see the remnants and still maintained Victorian architecture exemplified by an exquisite train station-- Victoria terminus – which is another UNESCO world heritage site.

A visit also to a house previously occupied by Mahatma Gandhi now turned into a museum provided a peek into the revered leader's life.

Overall, Mumbai has it’s historic past still intact not like Manila who lost much of her historic landmarks during the war (due to Japanese demolition and American carpet bombing and what remained are rapidly disappearing—a classic case of the old giving way to the new)

A drive thorough Mumbai’s streets will give you a glimpse of modern everyday life amidst a backdrop of marvelous colonial buildings like the supreme court building, Mumbai universities with Rajabai clock tower.

Indian Women still wear their traditional sarees while men typically don long sleeve shirts and trousers in this scorching land near the sea. Surprisingly, people here also peddle books on the streets at bargain prices. People really do love to read. Indians also are mild-mannered and full of humor not like the Koreans (who went with us) with their I-want-this-now attitude and looking down at the Indians

I spent a total of three weeks in India without shaving so just imagine how I looked like with my moustache. Upon my return to Manila, the first thing I looked for, quite surprisingly, is Jollibee for their burgers and corned beef. Remember in India -- there’s no beef!

Related Posts:

Incredible India, Mumbai Tour

Labels: India, Mumbai

posted by GingGoy @ 9:24 PM, 4 comments,

Incredible India part deux (Mumbai Travel)
16 April 2004

Clearing immigration at the Mumbai airport was a breeze and we’re later ushered into our waiting car to be transported to our hotel. I forgot the name of that decrepit hotel we first checked into but the following day we transferred to the cozier Taj Lands End hotel in upscale Bandra district of Mumbai where mansions with high walls were said to be owned by Bollywood stars.

Speaking of Bollywood, I never got to see their stars not even their studios also located in Mumbai but wathng TV where so many films were shown. Indian movie industry, called Bollywood, churns out more films than their American counterpart. Virtually all their movies have song and dance numbers and having a plot of the oppressed and kawawa overcoming all odds to win also typical of Filipino movies. Sadly, the fate of our movie industry is the opposite—it’s moribund due to lack of creativity in churning out quality ones.

Watching TV in Mumbai is very different: HBO has commercial breaks, there’s no NBA shown even when it’s the finals (my companion’s disappointed due to this. Good thing I like football), news of raunchy concert of Enrique Iglesias being condemned by media for alleged indecency, the hyped up Pakistan vs India cricket match and the gory images of a deadly stampede of poor people promised free sarees (traditional Indian dresses) by a local politician.

(Indians are passionate with Cricket as much as football)

It was also the time of national elections where Manmohan Singh ascended into power. Notable of the elections there was the relative peace of the city compared to Philippine elections when booze overflows in what you’d think were fiestas just to woo the poor into electing them. You have to take note that illiteracy rate in India is high that people there vote not by writing names but by associating symbols to the candidates.

India is a land of great contrasts: where the modern world is evolving rapidly but the people are still moored on to solid cultural grounding and ancient beliefs, where elegant skyscrapers’ backdrop are complemented by informal dwelling places much too distressing to put Manila’s own slums to shame, where Indian brainpower is acknowledged the world over in spite of high number of illiterate people, where scientific progress is highly visible yet many people still worship animals science classified as pests. Where on earth can you find rats being fed and commune with people? Where else can you list at least one god for every three people on that subcontinent? Where cows are holy yet looked as sources of artery-clogging cholesterol in the west.

(Sunset over the Arabian Sea near my hotel. Did you know that it's normal for Indian men to hold hands while walking? Weird and met with jeers anywhere else)

Much of India is too weird when viewed through the eyes of a different culture-- welcome to Bizarre India!

Related Posts:

Incredible India, Incredible India Part 3

Labels: India, Mumbai

posted by GingGoy @ 7:37 PM, No comment,

Incredible India
08 April 2004

I packed my bags in eager anticipation of the coming Holy Week and spend my time in my hometown, but as fate would have it my usually incomprehensible lolo (how I call the boss of my boss) informed me and our database administrator are going to the Indian subcontinent to setup the now popular MMORPG (Massive Multi-Player Online Role Playing Game) Ragnarok took the nation by storm (and the money of students that should've been spent on more important things). Look, I know we're going there but I expected that to be after the long break and not Holy Thursday (2004). I can only say yes out of obedience and instead fired up my browser and googled my way to various things Mumbai has to offer to challenge my adventurous spirit.

Holy Thursday, when most Filipinos either go to a pilgrimage or the beaches, I boarded a Singapore airlines flight to the Lion city where we'll catch our connecting flight to Mumbai.

The flight via Singapore Airlines was a remarkable one with SingAir's on-flight entertainment and superb service made the three and a half flight to the Lion city seem like just a trip to Quiapo. Their lovely flight attendants with their all too familiar uniform and beaming smiles would surely brighten up your day.

Changi airport was another surprise-- it's an oasis welcoming us to the concrete jungle that is Singapore. The airport terminal has pocket gardens planted with colorful flowers and lagoons teeming with kaleidoscopic kois highly seductive for shutterbugs like me.

But wait. I have no camera!

Nada problema! It was actually my plan to buy a digital camera since i've heard Singapore's dutyfree shops offer the lowest prices for cameras and gadgets. I asked around for a particular model and got it-- a Canon Digital Ixus IIs -- the first digital camera of the flightless tutubi saw the light through its shutter

I wanted to explore more of Changi airport but time constraints I had to board my connecting flight to Mumbai via Air India with its aroma and exotic ambiance

After around six hours sitting snugly in my seat and watching movies, we touched down at Chattrapathi Shivaji International Airport (just call it Mumbai International Airport) with its exotic olfactory stimulation welcomed us

The tutubi has landed!

to be continued...

Related Posts:

Incredible India Part 2, Incredible India Part 3

Labels: India, Mumbai

posted by GingGoy @ 9:34 PM, 2 comments,

DIY Tour of Genting Highlands, Malaysia
22 February 2004

On our last day of KL training of Netscreen firewalls, we hopped unto a train at KLCC terminal going to KL Sentral and bought bus tickets at the second floor going to Malaysia's famous hill station: Genting Highlands.

The bus trip took about an hour up the mountain where it's misty and cold. We didn't come here to gamble but just to take a peek at one of Malaysia's tourist attractions plus an exhilirating ride on gondola of Genting Skyway, a fast cable car service.

picture of Skyway cable car with genting hotel nearby

Inside First World Plaza are replicas of world famous landmarks like Eiffel Tower of Paris, Big Ben of London, Gondolas of Venice, Times Square of New York and many more

There's also a Ripley's Believe or Not gallery or interesting and eerie displays.

After a few photo opportunities, decided to leave early to avoid rush (we bought return tickets as soon as we arrived just to be sure)

Genting Casinos and Gambling tips:

ceiling of genting casino

* Casino de Genting, Genting Hotel
* Monte Carlo Casino
* StarWorld, First World Hotel

Table games: roulette, baccarat and Chinese games (tai sai and pai gow), a little poker and numerous slot machines.

Tip: Gamblers need to sign up with Genting's Worldcard to withdraw winnings

Genting Highlands Hotels and Accomodations:

* First World Hotel
* Genting Hotel
* Highlands Hotel
* Resort Hotel
* Theme Park Hotel

How to get to Genting Highlands from KL:

KL Sentral to Genting Highlands Resort
Genting counter at Level 2, KL Sentral Station
Adult Fare: RM7.30 Child Fare: RM5.70

Buses also leave Puduraya Bus terminal every 30 minutes.

Labels: Malaysia

posted by GingGoy @ 11:05 PM, 9 comments,

Malaysia KL: The Garden City of Lights
14 February 2004

Accumulated travel wisdom of Tutubi based mostly on his travel to KL, Malaysia in February 2004. This is a work in progress and will be updated once in a while.

Places to see in KL (tourist spots)

Petronas Tower
once the tallest building in the world, most prominent landmark in Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC), the towers are built with Muslim architecture in mind and the structure is an awesome sight at night ideal for night photography and cityscape photos of KL skyline.

Menora Tower
a short taxi ride away from Petronas Tower, Tutubi actually walked from Petronas Twin Towers to get there. You will be rewarded with a magnificent view of KL from a tower almost as tall as Petronas since it's built on top of a hill. A guided tour of each window is provided via electronic gizmos you listen to while enjoying the sights.

Sultan Abdul Samad Building,
a distinctive landmark on Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur with its moorish architecture and clocktower

Chinatown (Petaling Street)
Raja Chulan Station, KL’s monorail. walking distance from Maharajalela Station

Bukit Bintang (Star Hill)
the shopping and entertainment center of KL located on Jalan Bukit Bintang (from Jalan Pudu up to the intersection with Jalan Sultan Ismail)

Sri Mahamariamman Temple
Founded in 1873, the oldest and richest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur situated at the edge of Chinatown on Jalan Bandar (formerly High Street).

Bird Park

How to get there:

Kuala Lumpur International Airport caters to flights from all over the world. Express trains and buses have regular trip schedules going to KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre). Can also be reached by taxi though it's quite far.

Catholic Church in KL
St. John's Cathedral, Jalan Raja Chulan

Beyond KL

Genting Highlands
A hill station with casinos, hotels and theme parks an hour bus ride away from KL

Batu Caves
Batu Caves serves as the focus of the Hindu community's yearly Thaipusam festival.

How to get there:
Take the Putra line (LRT) and alight at Gombak station where you take a cab. Alternatively, you can take Bus 11 or 11d in Chinatown (from Batu Cave there's a bus stop for KL-bound buses located in front of the main gate)

KL to Melaka (Malacca)

St Paul’s Church was built by a Portuguese Captain, the chapel was turned by the Dutch into a burial ground for their noble dead and renamed it `St. Paul’s Church` from the Portuguese’s `Our Lady Of The Hill.` St. Francis Xavier was briefly enshrined in the open grave in 1553 before being shipped to Goa, India.

KL to Penang

KL to Langkawi

KL to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Mount Kinabalu- climb the highest mountain in Southeast Asia

Sipadan island - a popular dive site (reachable from the Philippines via Zamboanga City Ferry to Sandakan followed by a bus ride)

Layang Layang for scuba diving and rare bird watching

Mulu Caves, Sarawak
Gunung Mulu National Park in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, encompasses an array of caves and the world's biggest natural enclosed space.

Beaches Malaysia
Tioman / Redang / Perhentian for a beautiful snorkeling and tropical beach experience

Beyond Malaysia:

Singapore to Malaysia
From KL, you can visit Singapore via bus or train, with travel time of about 6 hours.

Malaysia to Thailand:
From KL, you can proceed to Bangkok, Thailand via bus or train

UPDATED: October 2008

Labels: Malaysia

posted by GingGoy @ 9:16 PM, 1 comment,

Nice Hotel Cubao, EDSA Crossing, Manila
04 February 2004

Updated: August 27, 2009

Tutubi while riding the MRT on his way to Makati just saw the newly-opened Nice Hotel EDSA Crossing. He searched the Internet for telephone bumbers and official website but couldn't find one.

This post will be updated once information's available

Nice Hotel Cubao
Arayat Market, Cubao, Quezon City
(near MRT Cubao-Araneta Center Station)
Tel. No.:
Location Map:
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=14.6196309&lon=121.0503888&z=18&l=0&m=w

Nice Hotel EDSA Crossing
EDSA near corner Shaw Boulevard

Nice Hotel
C.M. Recto Avenue, Manila
near LRT 2 Recto Station and LRT Doroteo Jose Station

Please call the published contact numbers of Nice Hotel (or visit official website) for room rates, inquiries, events (weddings, baptisms, debuts and other functions) discounts and other promos.

some people rate this nice hotel as a motel for sex and hooker meetups but Tutubi hasn't been there and can't comment on this reputation

UPDATED: August 27, 2009

Related Post:

Eurotel

Labels: Accommodations, Hotels, Metro Manila, National Capital Region

posted by GingGoy @ 9:35 PM, 24 comments,

Eurotel Cubao, North EDSA, Makati, Manila Las Pinas
03 February 2004

For information of travelers looking for information on Eurotel Hotels
who want their customers to experience Europe. Something for locals but
not for foreigners, especially European tourists-- they didn't come all
the way to experience something different, not like home :(

Eurotel North EDSA
in front of SM City North EDSA, Quezon City
walking distance from MRT North Avenue Station and Trinoma
Contact Number: +63.2.376.7097

Eurotel Cubao
Araneta Center in front of Araneta Coliseum
Cubao, Quezon City
Telephone Number: +63.2.995.8452;

Eurotel Manila
near Robinsons Place, Malate, Manila

Eurotel Makati
Chino Roces (Pasong Tamo) corner Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay road)
in front of Walter Mart and near Don Bosco Makati

Eurotel Las Pinas
in front of SM Southmall, Las Pinas

Please call Eurotel contact numbers or visit Eurotel official website for room rates, bookings, events, weddings, reservations, discounts, promos and other inquiries.

Tutubi has never checked-in at Eurotel Hotels but expect a Eurotel
review once he gets to experience Europe...locally if the claim is true.

Labels: Accommodations, Hotels

posted by GingGoy @ 9:09 PM, 4 comments,

Bureau of Immigration Office Manila: Visa and How to Get There
02 February 2004

Information Visa fees and how to get to the Bureau of Immigration office in Intramuros, Manila for foreigners applying for Philippine Visa extensions.

Visa Extension Fees, Click here
21 days visa-free entry
after 59 days (21 days + 38 days): PhP
after 6 months: PhP

here's a tip for foreigners retiring, living in the Philippines, instead of availing of the expensive SRRV visa, just come here with tourist visa, apply for extensions annually and get out of the country for a day (or more) to reset your number of days stay to zero. :P

A round-trip to nearby Asian countries is considered cheap these days and you get to travel too.

All applicants for extension are required to dress properly. Applicants wearing shorts, sandos, and slippers will not be allowed entry to Immigration Office.

How to get to Bureau of Immigration, Manila:

Commute: from LRT Carriedo Station, walk towards Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo and board a jeepney with signboard Pier. The jeep will pass by BI. Another way is by taking the Pasig River Ferry at Guadalupe station, walking distance from MRT Guadalupe station. The ferry ride is about 45 minutes from Guadalupe to Plaza Mexico where you get off. Still another one, recommended for tourists and newcomers to Manila, is via the hop on shuttle called Wow Manila Sakay Na Hop On Hop Off service, that will take you directly to the government edifice in Intramuros, Manila.

Immigration office can be most conveniently reached from Manila airport by taking a taxi (taxi fare is estimated at PhP150 or about US$3)

Driving Directions by car or taxi: from Quiapo, cross Quezon Bridge, then turn right immediately on the first road to the right immediately after the bridge. You'll pass by a road crossing under MacArthur Bridge, behind the neo-classical Manila Post Office Building, again under Jones Bridge and National Press Club building before you get to the Bureau of Immigration Building.

Here's a map of the vicinity for your reference.

Labels: Government Offices, Immigration, Philippine Visa

posted by GingGoy @ 9:07 PM, No comment,

List of Highly Urbanized Cities of the Philippines
01 February 2004

The Philippines currently has 32 cities classified as highly-urbanized. In order to belong to the "elite" group of cities, certain requirements need to be met:

* Population of at least 200,000
* Minimum annual income of PhP100M

This is under the Local Government Code of 1991. The President of the Republic of the Philippines needs to declare a city as highly-urbanized which needs to be approved by the city residents in a plebiscite.

Once declared as a highly urbanized city, the city would have its own congressional district, aside from receiving a higher IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment)

Angeles City (Pampanga)
Olongapo City (Zambales)
Lucena City (Quezon)
Iloilo City (Iloilo)
Bacolod City (Negros Occidental)
Cebu City (Cebu)
Lapu-lapu City (Cebu)
Mandaue City (Cebu)
Zamboanga City (Zamboanga del Sur)
Iligan City (Lanao del Norte)
Cagayan de Oro City (Misamis Oriental)
Davao City (Davao del Sur)
General Santos City (South Cotabato)
City of Manila (Metro Manila)
Mandaluyong City (Metro Manila)
Marikina City (Metro Manila)
Pasig City (Metro Manila)
Quezon City (Metro Manila)
San Juan City (Metro Manila)
Kalookan City (Caloocan) (Metro Manila)
Malabon City (Metro Manila)
Navotas City (Metro Manila)
Valenzuela City (Metro Manila)
Las Pinas City (Metro Manila)
Makati City (Metro Manila)
Muntinlupa City (Metro Manila)
Paranaque City (Metro Manila)
Pasay City (Metro Manila)
Taguig City (Metro Manila)
Baguio City (Benguet)
Butuan City (Agusan del Norte)
Puerto Princesa (Palawan)
Tacloban City (Leyte) (Dec 2008)

In order to get travel information on these cities, please click the Labels on the navigation pane of this page where each city has it's own Category page.

posted by GingGoy @ 8:44 PM, 7 comments,

Captivating Capiz
31 January 2004

Tutubi was able to visit Capiz only for a few hours when he visited Roxas City to conduct a seminar. He traveled by land from Iloilo City after a brief tour of Guimaras and Bacolod stop-over.

This is an SEO experiment :P

Captivating Capiz Tourist Spots, Festivals, Historical Sites and other Attractions

Sinadya sa Halaran
Literally meaning “Joy in Sharing and Thanksgiving,“ it fused two major festivals of Capiz – Sinadya and Halaran, which were previously celebrated separately.
Sinadya marks the fiesta of Roxas City in honor of the Patroness of the Capiceños, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Halaran festival depicts the rich cultural heritage of the Capiceños through sharing and thanksgiving, which the province and the city are celebrating together. The twin festival is celebrated in a show of unity that speaks of their determined quest for a better life.

Seafoods
The abundance of marine life makes Capiz the Seafood Capital of the Philippines. Home to one of the richest fishing grounds of the country, its water teem with the best that the sea has to offer – blue marlin, tuna, prawns and shrimps, seaweed, crabs ells, shellfish such as oysters and mussels, squid and other marine species. Prawns and milkfish are shipped by tons to Manila and other places.

Birthplace of President Manuel Roxas
It was here in Capiz that the First President of the Philippines was born. Located in the city proper, the two-storey hardwood and stone house of President Manuel Acuña Roxas is now a historical shrine.

Biggest Bell
The Sta. Monica Church in Pa-nay, Capiz houses the biggest bell in Southeast Asia. The church’s five-storey belfry shelters a huge antique bell surrounded by 8 smaller bells. Shrouded with many enchanting tales, the huge bell holds more fascinating truth. It was cast from 76 sacks of coins believed to have been contributed by the citizens of the town. Its mammoth size holds a staggering record - seven feet in diameter and weighs 10.4 tons.

Caves
Spelunking or simply cave exploration in just one of the many caves that can be found in Capiz is a delight to explorers and spelunkers. Getting into these nature-built dungeons, seeing the wonders that were hidden for centuries, creates a grand feeling of fulfillment as one views the grandeur of the chambers as big as the present-day cathedrals. Flaked tools and fossilized bones of Stone Age Man were recovered in some archeological caves.

Capiz Shells
Considered as the most versatile of sea shells, which are so plentiful in the province, called “pi-os” by Capiceños, but known as capiz throughout the world. Capiz shell products, admired for their beauty and transluscent quality, are in such great demand abroad that sometimes local exporters can hardly supply the needs of the market. The deft fingers of the Capiceños turn these shells into flowers and souvenir items of unsurpassed beauty.

Cutflower Growing
Farms of various ornamental plants and different varieties of heliconia supply a thriving cut-flower business that is carving a niche in Southern Philippines’ provinces.

Sulod Tribe
Located in Tapaz, Capiz, it is a cultural minority of Indonesian stock that worships spirits, practice secondary burial, and hunt with blowguns. The Sulod love personal ornaments. The necklace worn is not only an ornament and a status symbol but also an anting-anting or amulet.

Mussel Farms
Ten kilometers north of the town of Sapian, Capiz are the mussel farms that patiently lie like a silent picture of a thousand bamboo stilts arrayed six feet apart. Each bamboo pole stuck through the sea floor six to seven feet deep yields hundreds of fat dark green mussels neatly arranged like dark distended leaves sprouting heavily on top of each other. Get here by means of motorized banca, dugouts, or rafts.

Baybay Beach
The pride of Roxas City, located around 3 km. from the city proper of Roxas. This clean black sand beach is a favorite excursion/picnic area of the Capiceños.

Source: Wow Philippines website
http://www.wowphilippines.com.ph/explore_phil/place_details.asp?content=famousefor&province=33

See you in Captivating Capiz

Labels: Captivating Capiz

posted by GingGoy @ 9:08 PM, No comment,

Cebu Travel Guide, Tourist Spots (Information on the Cheapest Package)
30 January 2004

Cebu, once marketed itself as "an island in the Pacific," has been experiencing a boom in economy and tourist arrivals and also now the favorite retirement place of Americans and Europeans as well as Koreans, Japanese and Chinese tourists making it a tropical island vacation come true - balmy weather, nice beaches, turquoise waters, and luxurious resorts that cater to usual tourists accustomed to comforts of city life as well as backpackers looking for cheap accommodations and basic facilities.

N.B.: This is a work in progress, to be edited and refined once photos and information are available.

Cebu City and the larger Metro Cebu is the ideal gateway to the backpacking Visayas trail due to the fact that you can explore nearby islands in the Visayas by hopping into a plane, boats/ferries/fast crafts, and buses.

Tutubi compiled these information for your reference mostly based on his personal travels and knowledge:

Interesting Places to See/ Cebu Tourist Spots/Sightseeing:

Magellan's Cross - a wooden cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan (Magallanes, a Portuguese explorer/navigator in the service of the Spain) who arrived (not discovered) in the islands soon to be known as the Philippines in March 1521. Note that the true cross is inside the visible cross.

Fort San Pedro - triangular Spanish fort constructed

Magellan Shrine - the site of the historic battle between Magellan's men and Lapu-lapu in the promontory of Punta Engaño, Mactan

Lapu Lapu shrine - located on Mactan Island,

Calle Colon (Colon Street) - said to be the oldest street in the Philippines, named after Christopher Columbus

Kan-irag Nature Park - a 71 hectare eco-tourism park with indigenous trees, plants and flowers on a watershed. It's open from 7am to 5pm

Tops Skyline Garden - situated on the hills of Busay, can be reached only by a hired taxi or private vehicles on steep roads but you'll be rewarded with a panoramic view of Cebu City and the islands of Mactan and Olango.

Cebu City Chinatown
Cebu City Japantown
Cebu City Koreatown

Taoist Temple

Cebu Landmarks:

Cebu Provincial Capitol
Marcelo Fernan Bridge - one of two bridges connecting Mactan Island to mainland Cebu
Cebu International Convention Center (right beside Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino)

Cebu Shopping Malls and Public Markets:

SM City Cebu
Ayala Center Cebu
Gaisano Country Mall
Taboan Public Market: where to buy dried fish (e.g. danggit) in bulk at low prices

Heritage City of Carcar for heritage Spanish houses

Old Heritage Churches in Cebu (Visita Iglesia)

Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City
Carcar Church: St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church
Boljoon Church:
Dalaguete Church:
Argao Church: Church of St. Michael the Archangel
Pardo Church: Church of Santo Tomas de Villanueva
Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral
Naga Church: Church of San Francisco de Asis
San Fernando Church: Church of San Isidro Labrador
Carcar Church: Santa Catalina de Alejandria
Oslob Church:
Talisay Church: Parish of Sta. Teresa de Avila

Cebu Museums:

Cathedral Museum, Cebu City
Carcar Museum (between Carcar Church and and City Hall building)

Waterfalls in Cebu:

Bugasok Falls in Argao - can be reached by trekking or hiring habal-habal to take you there
Kawasan Falls in Badian - about 30 minutes trek along the pristine river. (Tutubi was here in April 2003)
Sta. Rosa Falls in Danao
Mantayupan Falls in Baranggay Campangga, Barili (water diverted to a hydroelectric plant)

Mt Manunggal, the highest mountain in the island and the crash site of the ill-fated Douglas C-47 plane named "Mt. Pinatubo" in 1957 that killed the 7th President of the Philippines, Ramon Magsaysay.

Some people looking for cold places in Cebu Province, try Barangay Mantalongon, Dalaguete, known as the “Summer Capital of Cebu," and Barangay Gaas, Balamban, Cebu where Mt. Manunggal is located, enjoy cooler temperatures.

Cebu Beaches and other islands:

Mactan Island, connected to Cebu Island via two bridges

Pescador Island - a small limestone island with excellent corals and marine life a few minutes away from the beach of Moalboal. (Tutubi was here in April 2003)

Sumilon Island, fifteen minutes by boat from Oslob town, is a great SCUBA diving site

Malapascua Island - an island north of the main island great for diving. Click here for a list of Malapascua Beach Resorts

Bantayan Island - an island north of the main island great for diving. Click here for a list of Bantayan Beach Resorts

Camotes Island, a two hour boat ride from Cebu City's Pier 1. It's the home of Lake Danao, the largest freshwater lake in Central Visayas

Where to eat/Cebu Restaurants:

Sutukil restaurants/carinderia in Mactan Island
Golden Cowrie Native Restaurant
Neo Neo
CnT Lechon
Binugoy
Goodah-Gud,
Tsibogs
Boardwalk Compostela

Cebu Food Specialties and Pasalubong:

Sutukil
Nilarang na bakasi (igat or eel)
Chicken Halang-halang
puso (rice wrapped in banana leaves)
Shamrock Otap
Lechon Cebu
Dried Mangoes
Danggit

Towns, Municipalities and Cities:
Alcantara, Alcoy, Alegria, Aloguinsan, Argao, Asturias, Badian, Balamban, Bantayan, Barili, Basak Pardo, Boljoon, Borbon, Carmen, Catmon, Compostela, Consolacion, Cordova, Daanbantayan, Dalaguete, Dumanjug, Ginatilan, Liloan, Madridejos, Malabuyoc, Medellin, Minglanilla, Moalboal, Oslob, Pilar, Pinamungahan, Poro, Ronda, Samboan, San Fernando, San Francisco, San Remigio, Santa Fe, Santander, Sibonga, Sogod, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Tudela

Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Bogo City, Carcar City, Danao City, Naga City, Talisay City, Toledo City

Cebu Festivals & Events

Sinulog Festival - a colorful festival culminating on the third Sunday of January with lively street dancing and other activities

Cebu Golf Courses and Country Clubs:

Cebu Country Club
Alta Vista Golf and Country Club, Pardo Cebu City, par 72, 18-hole championship golf course
Verdemar Golf & Dive Resort, Bogo, Cebu, par 71
Mercedes Plantation Golf Club in Bogo
Cebu International Golf and Resort, Badian Island, 18-hole, par 72
Mactan Island Golf Club

How to get to Cebu:

By Air: Regular flights to Cebu are available via various airlines from almost any major airport besides Manila. Cheap flights to Cebu are also available via budget airlines. International direct flights to Cebu include Doha (Qatar), Hong Kong, Busan (South Korea), Koror (Palau), Singapore, Taipei (Taiwan), Kaoshiung (Taiwan), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (South Korea), Shanghai China), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Kota Kinabalu (Sabah, Malaysia)

Ferry: ferry schedules going to and from these ports: Bohol (Tagbilaran and Tubigon), Cagayan de Oro (CDO, Ormoc (Leyte)
Bus:

Getting Around Cebu:
Jeepneys or multicabs are the principal ways of getting around the city. Various routes with signboards and route designations are available here. If you have the money, take taxis, they're everywhere

Buses are available at the North and South Bus Terminals in Cebu City.

Useful Information on Cebu:

Backpacking Visayas: Beyond Cebu:

Cebu to Dumaguete: Reachable via Ferry or Bus
Cebu to Bohol: Ferry and fast crafts to Tagbilaran or Tubigon, where you can see the famed Chocolate Hills, the tarsier,
Cebu to Bacolod: Reachable via Ferry or Bus
Cebu to Ormoc, Leyte: Ferry

Ferry Schedules

Where to Stay in Cebu: Hotels, Inns, Pension Houses, Condotels, Appartelles, and other Accommodations

Getting Out of Cebu:

At Mactan- Cebu International Airports, there are two halls: one for Domestic and another for International Departures. Note that terminal fees for domestic travel is PhP200 and PhP550 for international flights.

Should you wish to visit other islands, you can also hop on to various ferries and boats to nearby Leyte (Ormoc), Bohol (Tagbilaran City and Tubigon), Negros (Bacolod and Dumaguete City), Siquijor and Mindanao via Cagayan de Oro (CDO).

Buses to nearby islands are available either at Cebu North Terminal and South Bus Terminal, both in the heart of Cebu City.

Links:
Suroy-suroy

For other articles on Cebu, please Click the Label Cebu after this line or use the search box.

UPDATED: September 21, 2008

Labels: Cebu, Central Visayas, Travel Guides

posted by GingGoy @ 6:01 PM, 4 comments,

Cheap Boracay Package Tour and Budget Travel Tips
18 January 2004

UPDATED April 2013

Boracay, the most visited place and popular tourist spot of Paradise Philippines, with it's powdery white sand bragging right as one of the best beaches in the world. Everybody thinks it's expensive but there are cheaper alternatives to cheap Boracay package tours peddled almost everywhere and that is the DIY tour of the famous island.

Picture of Boracay Beach near Station 2

Where to stay:

Trafalgar Cottages
Boracay Courtyard (not recommended)
Frendz Resort
Hotel Villa Sunset
Ocean Breeze Inn
Aissatou Beach Resort (Bulabog Beach)
Habagat Kite Village (Bulabog Beach)
Isla Gecko Resort (Station 2)
Isla Kite Guesthouse (Bulabog Beach)
Surfer's Home (Bulabog Beach)
Casa Camilla

Sandra's Inn (Station 1)
Boracay Orchard
Orchids Boracay
La Carmela de Boracay
Boracay Regency
Boracay West Cove (http://www.boracaywestcove.com)
Cohiba Boracay Resort (Bulabog Beach)
7 Stones Boracay Resort (Bulabog Beach)
Mika's Place (Diniwid beach)
Microtel Inn & Suites
Mika's Place
Diniwid Beach Resort

Touristy resorts include AltaVista, Asya, Discovery Shores, Friday’s, Mandala Spa Resort, Nami Private Villas, Punta Rosa Boutique Hotel, Bella Vista de Boracay and Red Coconut.

Boracay Restaurants: Where to Eat/Dine in Boracay

Cheap seafood at D'Talipapa where you can buy fresh seafood catch and have them cooked the way you like (similar to Manila's Dampa and Seaside Paluto style). For Muslims, some restaurants offer halal food (or may pass your expectations)

Many restaurants, turo-turo and street food on the beach.

Boracay Visitor Center (+63.2.890.8902; website) can provide more information. Tourist Center at Station 2.

Boracay Trivia and History:

Boracay's sand does not feel hot to the feet even on a hot summer day. It has something to do with the absence (or is it presence) of a certain compound in the sand.

History of Boracay narrates how European backpackers "discovered" the beach and released photos of the place to the world.

ATM Banking and Money Changers:

Allied Bank, Metrobank, BPI, Landbank (ATM Fees and charges for BancNet, Megalink, ExpressNet, Visa, Plus, Cirrus, Maestro, Mastercard, JCB, China Union Pay apply.) There's a BPI ATM in front of Boracay Beach Chalets in Station 2.

Boracay Aquasports, Water Sports and other activities:

swimming, snorkeling to scuba diving, windsurfing, sailboating, kayaking, skim boarding, glass bottom boats, sailing (paraw), boardsailing, and boating. Jet skis, banana boat rides and the likes for a certain price (usually higher than any other place due to the presence of tourists). Island hopping, hiking, trekking, caving, mountain climbing, biking, and horseback riding. Golf at Fairways and Bluewater Resort Golf and Country Club. ATV and Bug car rental off-road driving. Spelunking at the Bat cave. Massage at some Boracay spa (whole body massage are available on white beach at PhP300/hour. Massage ladies use coconut oil)

Barangays: Balabag, Yapak, Manoc-manoc

Stations: 1 (high-end resorts), 2, 3 (low cost resorts)

Ports:

Cagban Port (north of the island)

Boracay Beaches:

White Beach (most popular, longest and tourist-infested)
Bulabog Beach (boardsailing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and kiteboarding et al),
Diniwid Beach (walking Distance from White Beach, near Station 1)
Puka Beach (South of the island. tricycle ride or by boat from White Beach)
Balinghai Beach (secluded, best snorkeling site on Boracay Island)
Ilig Iligan Beach (near many caves)

How to get to Boracay: The Basics

The easiest and fastest way to get to Boracay is to book a flight to Caticlan Airport though it can only handle small propeller planes due to the short runway. The alternative airport is Kalibo Airport which can handle jumbo jets and international flights but is at least 1.5 hours away. (see below for the applicable fares and fees table)

From Caticlan Airport, you need to ride a tricycle to get to Caticlan jetty port then a banca/fastcraft to Cagban Jetty Port (about 15 minutes travel time) on Boracay Island then another tricycle to your beach resort or accommodations.

From Kalibo Airport, you need to ride a shuttle van (fare: PhP200.00, travel time about 1.5 hours) or bus (Ceres Liner, GM Bus, Southwest Tours, Star Express and 7107 Island Tours) to take you to Caticlan Jetty Port, ride a banca (motorized outrigger boat for about 15 minutes) or fastcraft then a tricycle to your resort or accommodations. (see below for the applicable fares and fees table)

How to get to Boracay by Air:

Flights to Boracay via Caticlan Airport (now Godofredo P. Ramos National Airport)

Cebu Pacific ATR 72-500 turboprop plane at Caticlan Airport

Manila to Caticlan Flights (direct flights to Boracay)

Cebu Pacific:
SEAIR
PAL Express (book via PAL website)
Interisland Airlines: special flights only, chartered planes service available

Cebu to Caticlan Flights:

SEAIR
Cebu Pacific Air
PAL Express

Clark Airport to Caticlan Flights:

Cebu Pacific Air
SEAIR
AirAsia Philippines

How to get to Boracay from Kalibo Airport

Flights to Kalibo are cheaper than direct flights to Caticlan Airport

First you book a flight to Kalibo Airport then take a bus or van (right outside Kalibo Airport). Additional 1.5 hours travel time plus PhP200.00 bus fare but significant savings in airfare via Kalibo.

Manila to Kalibo flights are served by the following airlines

Philippine Airlines
Cebu Pacific
ZestAir (Zest Airways)

Davao to Kalibo Flights

Cebu Pacific

Note: Kalibo Airport to Caticlan Bus Fare: PhP200.00 (Travel time around 1.5 hours)

International Flights to Kalibo Airport (direct foreign flights to Caticlan Airport)

ZestAir flies from Kalibo to Incheon, South Korea
ZestAir flies from Kalibo to Pusan, South Korea
ZestAir flies from Kalibo to Shanghai, China
ZestAir flies from Kalibo to Taipei, Taiwan

Chartered flights to Boracay:

If you're quite a big group and from a city with no direct flights to Caticlan or Kalibo, you can inquire about chartered flights to Boracay from Interisland Airlines. It may not be cheaper but guaranteed faster
with no stop-over in Cebu or Manila.

Ferry to Boracay from Manila:

Romblon Shipping Lines (operated by the owners of the defunct MBRS Shipping Lines) operates a ferry boat to Boracay from Pier 8 of Manila North Harbor. Regular ferry fare from Manila to Caticlan is PhP1050.00 (economy). Call these telephone numbers: +63.2.243.5886; +63.2.244.4497; +63.2.244.0619

Ferry to Caticlan from Roxas, Oriental Mindoro:

Ferry Companies serving the Roxas, Oriental Mindoro to Caticlan ferry route

Montenegro Shipping Lines, Inc.
Ferry fare is PhP460.00 (economy)
Contact Number:
Batangas: +63.43.723.8294
Caticlan: +63.36.288.7373

Starlite Ferries
Ferry fare: PhP400.00
Roxas: +63.921.463.8989
Caticlan: +63.36.288.7495

Ferry to Boracay from Batangas Pier

2Go Travel Ferry's St. Ignatius of Loyola sails six times a week from Tuesday to Sunday at 9pm from Port of Batangas and arrives at Caticlan Jetty Port the following day at 6am. 2Go Travel is now the operator of Negros Navigation, SuperFerry, SuperCat and Cebu Ferries. They also serve the Caticlan-Odiongan, Romblon route. Batangas to Caticlan ferry fare is PhP875.59. You may call 2Go Travel hotline at +63.2.528.7000

Ferry from Manila to Kalibo:

Tutubi boarded an overnight ferry to Kalibo with a college friend to take part in the Ati-atihan Festival in 2004. No updated information though on ferries plying this route.

SuperFerry and Negros Navigation don't list Kalibo on their destinations list, the closest port is Iloilo.

Cebu Ferries don't have trips even to Iloilo pier.

Manila to Boracay via RO-RO (Roll-on Roll-off):

the cheapest way to to go Boracay Island (if you have lots of time to spare)

It's 2 hour bus ride to Batangas port plus 3 hours RORO to Calapan, Mindoro plus another 3 hour land travel to the port of Roxas, Mindoro then a 5 hour RORO to Caticlan port.

RORO buses to Boracay (contact numbers and trip schedules verified):

Philtranco bus to Boracay near Caticlan Jetty Port

Philtranco +63.2.851.8077, +63.2.851.8079 (Cubao to Caticlan)
Bachelor Express +63.2.731.7287 RORO bus fare: PhP945.00 one way

Dimple Star Transit +63.2.862.3075 (Ali Mall, Cubao and Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Mindoro)
Fare: PhP1030.00 (Cubao to Caticlan, one-way, air-con bus)
Roro bus schedule: daily trips to Caticlan via Batangas Pier and Mindoro

Rodastco Vans to Roxas City (Capiz) (contact number +63.2.732.6891);
They only ply the route Manila to Roxas with daily trips to Roxas at 8pm (fare: PhP700.00) from their terminal on southbound Espana corner Antipolo (near the PNR Espana station) in Sampaloc, Manila. From Roxas City, you need to ride another van to Caticlan.

How to Get to Boracay from Iloilo

Buses From Iloilo to Caticlan are serviced by GM Liner and Ceres Liner.

How to Get to Boracay from Bacolod:

Take the Bacolod to Iloilo ferry (Oceanjet, Weesam Express et al) then ride the bus to Caticlan from Iloilo.

How to Get to Boracay from Davao City:

You can fly from Davao to Iloilo via Cebu Pacific then take the bus to Caticlan

Boracay From Cagayan de Oro (CDO):

1. Book a flight from CDO to Manila/Cebu then Manila/Cebu to Boracay (either Kalibo or Caticlan
2. Board a Ferry from CDO to Iloilo then take a bus to Caticlan

How to Get to Boracay From Tacloban:

Book a flight to Cebu to Tacloban then a connecting flight to Caticlan or Kalibo.

Fees and Fares for Boracay budget purposes and accounting:

Going to Boracay fees and fares:

Cheap flights to Boracay are available during promo period/sale of airline tickets

Manila Airport Terminal Fee (NAIA): PhP200.00 (now included in plane ticket)
Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal Fee: PhP200.00 (now included in plane ticket)

Tricycle Fare from Caticlan airport to Tabon Port (Caticlan): PhP100.00/person
Environmental Fee: PhP75.00/person
Tabon Jetty Port Terminal Fee (Caticlan Port): PhP50.00
Ferry/Fast Craft fare from Tabon to Boracay Port: PhP30.00/head
Boat fare from Tabon to Boracay Port: PhP15.00/head

Fast craft ferries are faster than outrigger boats but wait for passengers unlike native bancas. Trip to cross to Boracay Island is about 20 to 15 minutes only

Bus Fare from Iloilo to Boracay: PhP325.00
Travel time: around 6 hours

Getting Around Boracay Fees and Fares:

Tricycles: PhP10.00 minimum fare
Boracay Island Tour with Tricycle: PhP200.00/hour (negotiable)
Diniwid Beach to D'Talipapa fare: PhP100.00 (if trike is on queue)
D'Talipapa to Bulabog Beach Tricycle Fare: PhP20.00/head
ATV rental rates: PhP3500.00/hour (varies, ATV rental shops near Fairways and Bluewater in Barangay Yapak)
Island-hopping rates: prices vary, negotiable

Getting Out of Boracay Fares and Fees:

Tricycle Fare from White Beach to Boracay Port (Ferry terminal): PhP100.00
Tambisaan Jetty Port Terminal Fee: PhP50.00/head
Ferry ride to Caticlan Port (Tabon Port): PhP30.00
Cheaper boat ride (banca ride, outrigger boat): PhP15.00
Tricycle ride to Caticlan Airport: PhP100.00
Caticlan Airport Terminal Fee: PhP200.00

Boracay Tricycle minimum fare: PhP10.00

Fares and fees varies, sometimes you can haggle with tricycle drivers for cheap rates.

Important Telephone Numbers (for inquiries or in case of emergency)
Cagban Jetty Port: +63.36.288.7419
Boracay Police Station: +63.36.288.3066
Boracay Hospital: +63.36.288.3041
Boracay Coast Guard Station: +63.36.288.3486; +63.36.288.6150

Wi-Fi Internet in Boracay:

Some resorts offer free wi-fi Internet access, some charge extra. best to bring SmartBro or Globe Tatoo broadband Internet.

Pets to Boracay?
it's usually the airlines and boracay resorts' policies if you can bring your pet dog, cat or other pets that you have to the island.

Motorcycles, cars and private vehicles RORO to Boracay?
Not recommended. private cars are left parked in Caticlan and not allowed on Boracay Island

UPDATED: April 2013

Labels: Aklan, Beaches, Boracay, Hotels and Resorts, Resorts, Travel Guides, Western Visayas

posted by GingGoy @ 11:40 PM, 38 comments,

Bulacan Resorts Swimming Pools/Waterparks, Wave Pools, Private Resorts 30 October 2004

Siquijor Beach Resorts 27 October 2004

Basilan Tourist Spots, Places to See Beyond Beaches and Waterfalls 24 September 2004

Seair Flights, Excess Baggage Charges, Hotline, Accident Record et al 30 May 2004

El Nido Beach Resorts (Palawan Accommodations) 19 May 2004

Toys "R" Us Philippines Locations

Quezon Beach Resorts 16 May 2004

Kiping and Pahiyas Fiesta of Lucban, Quezon 15 May 2004

How to Get to Anilao Beach Resorts, Mabini, Batangas: Map, Bus Commute, Directions 11 May 2004

Batangas: How to Get to Calatagan Beach Resorts, Map, Bus Fare, Commute, Directions 10 May 2004

Puerto Galera Resorts and Budget Travel Tips 09 May 2004

Cable Wakeboarding in Batangas (and CamSur/CWC, DECA (DWP) ad Clark (CWP)) 08 May 2004

Boracay Sex Scandal: Hookers, Prostitutes, Prostitution, Sex on the Beach Video 01 May 2004

Tour of Mumbai: Gateway of India, Taj Mahal Hotel, Elephanta Cave, Rajabai Clock Tower, Victoria Terminus 21 April 2004

Incredible India part deux (Mumbai Travel) 16 April 2004

Incredible India 08 April 2004

DIY Tour of Genting Highlands, Malaysia 22 February 2004

Malaysia KL: The Garden City of Lights 14 February 2004

Nice Hotel Cubao, EDSA Crossing, Manila 04 February 2004

Eurotel Cubao, North EDSA, Makati, Manila Las Pinas 03 February 2004

Bureau of Immigration Office Manila: Visa and How to Get There 02 February 2004

List of Highly Urbanized Cities of the Philippines 01 February 2004

Captivating Capiz 31 January 2004

Cebu Travel Guide, Tourist Spots (Information on the Cheapest Package) 30 January 2004

Cheap Boracay Package Tour and Budget Travel Tips 18 January 2004

Bulacan Resorts Swimming Pools/Waterparks, Wave Pools, Private Resorts
30 October 2004

Siquijor Beach Resorts
27 October 2004

Basilan Tourist Spots, Places to See Beyond Beaches and Waterfalls
24 September 2004

Seair Flights, Excess Baggage Charges, Hotline, Accident Record et al
30 May 2004

El Nido Beach Resorts (Palawan Accommodations)
19 May 2004

Quezon Beach Resorts
16 May 2004

Kiping and Pahiyas Fiesta of Lucban, Quezon
15 May 2004

How to Get to Anilao Beach Resorts, Mabini, Batangas: Map, Bus Commute, Directions
11 May 2004

Batangas: How to Get to Calatagan Beach Resorts, Map, Bus Fare, Commute, Directions
10 May 2004

Puerto Galera Resorts and Budget Travel Tips
09 May 2004

Cable Wakeboarding in Batangas (and CamSur/CWC, DECA (DWP) ad Clark (CWP))
08 May 2004

Boracay Sex Scandal: Hookers, Prostitutes, Prostitution, Sex on the Beach Video
01 May 2004

Tour of Mumbai: Gateway of India, Taj Mahal Hotel, Elephanta Cave, Rajabai Clock Tower, Victoria Terminus
21 April 2004

Incredible India part deux (Mumbai Travel)
16 April 2004

Incredible India
08 April 2004

DIY Tour of Genting Highlands, Malaysia
22 February 2004

Malaysia KL: The Garden City of Lights
14 February 2004

Nice Hotel Cubao, EDSA Crossing, Manila
04 February 2004

Eurotel Cubao, North EDSA, Makati, Manila Las Pinas
03 February 2004

Bureau of Immigration Office Manila: Visa and How to Get There
02 February 2004

List of Highly Urbanized Cities of the Philippines
01 February 2004

Captivating Capiz
31 January 2004

Cebu Travel Guide, Tourist Spots (Information on the Cheapest Package)
30 January 2004

Cheap Boracay Package Tour and Budget Travel Tips
18 January 2004